Eternity of Man

Foreword

The discussion regarding the resurrection of man after death is, in reality, an answer to a general and universal question. In addition, it is also the answer to an individual and social need, in the meaning that, with the proving and establishment of the life after death, one of the most important individual and social needs of man - and that is - the love for permanence (or love for eternity) shall be fulfilled. Most important of all, man, in the light of his belief in Resurrection and in an eternal life, becomes directed, motivated and purposeful in his worldly life and saves the priceless moments of his life from becoming aimless and without goal and direction.

From another aspect, with the clarification and understanding of the issue of Resurrection, an important historical, philosophical, scientific and social issue, and the summary of a doctrinal and religious belief, shall find itself the object of discussion and deliberation. That faith and belief which has been the object of deep attention of all the Divine religions and amongst them - Islam, and towards which they have attached a great deal of importance.

So much so that, the Holy Qur’an has always mentioned the belief in Resurrection and life after death, after mentioning the belief in God. The importance which the Holy Qur’an associates with this issue is such that some of the commentators of the Holy Qur’an have said that a third of the Holy Qur’an - directly or indirectly - deals with the issue of Resurrection.

However, it must be understood that the scope of the discussion of Resurrection is very vast and encompasses different and varied discussions within itself. However, considering the fact that this present work is only a brief discourse regarding Resurrection, it is only natural that many of the secondary aspects and some of the fundamental aspects which are related to the main discussion may not have been fully dealt with or if dealt with, may not be in an expanded and detailed manner as it ought to have been.

In spite of this, particularities in the topics under discussion have been taken into consideration so as to render the reader independent of the need to refer to any other detailed work. Especially the young readers, who, by means of a short study, wish to obtain all that is necessary to know pertaining to Resurrection and gain the necessary knowledge and belief regarding it.

This book comprises of three parts, which are as follows:

Part 1: Eternity of Man.
Part 2: Death or Another Birth.
Part 3: The Multilateral Influences of the belief in Resurrection.

In Part 1, the concept of Resurrection and the various theories and opinions regarding it have been mentioned and critically dealt with. After that, in a separate chapter, the possibility of Resurrection and the proofs for it, have been presented. Then, we have dwelt upon the need and the necessity of the Resurrection of man after death. Because of its importance, we have deliberated this part, especially the discussion of the Immateriality of the Soul, in a more detailed manner. In the last chapter, we have discussed the corporeal resurrection and have thus brought to conclusion Part 1 of the book.

In Part 2 also, the essence and the reality of death has been the focus of attention and discussion following which, the view of the Holy Qur’an and the Islamic traditions regarding it has been the subject of debate and deliberation. In this chapter, the philosophy of death has also been focused upon. In the subsequent chapter of this Part, causes and factors of the fear of death have been propounded and deliberated. In the last chapter of this Part, we have dwelt upon the type of relation between this world and the Hereafter, and investigated it according to the Islamic and Qur’anic outlook.

In Part 3, the concluding part of the book, a summary of some of the important effects of the belief in Resurrection has been propounded and has been the focus of investigation and deliberation.

The point to be mentioned is that the topics in this book have been discussed in a fluent and flowing manner and without any intricacies and unnecessary jargon and the deep and profound philosophical, scientific and Gnostic points have been included within other subject matters in a simple language. In other words, in spite of the fact that the entire discussion comprises of philosophical, scientific and Gnostic aspects and is useful for men of learning, at the same time, it is completely comprehensible for the adolescents and the youths also.

Was-Salaam.